Understanding Social Investment Policy: evidence from the evaluation of Futurebuilders in England

The concept of social investment has attracted interest from policy makers, financial markets and not for profit organisations. It is an emergent notion which is multi-faceted and includes different market forms, policy responses, and institutional configurations. There is relatively little empirical evidence on the design, implementation and impacts of the various initiatives which have been perceived as falling within the field of social investment. This paper begins to address this gap. It draws on the national evaluation of Futurebuilders in England which was undertaken between 2005 and 2010. At the time Futurebuilders was one of the largest examples of a public policy initiative to support social investment; based on a policy model of government seeking to promote the use of loan funding to third sector organisations as part of a wider agenda of expanding the sector's role in the delivery of public services. The paper explores the effects of the programme on the third sector, on public service delivery and on service users. In conclusion the paper challenges some of the assumptions of this policy model, as well as the potential for 'impact investing' to become a framework for welfare provision

The New European Automotive Industry

Am 17. und 18. März 2005 findet in der britischen Botschaft in Berlin die diesjährige "CESifo International Spring Conference" statt. Am ersten Tag werden die wirtschaftlichen Perspektiven wichtiger Weltregionen behandelt. Im Mittelpunkt des zweiten Tages steht die konjunkturelle Entwicklung in bedeutenden Branchen der europäischen Industrie. Peter Wells vom Center for Automotive Industry Research, Cardiff, wird einer der Referenten sein. Hier gibt er eine kurze Einschätzung der Entwicklung der Automobilbranche in Europa.Kraftfahrzeugindustrie, Kosten, Produktion, Konjunktur, Investition, EU-Staaten

The contribution of rural community businesses to integrated rural development: “Local services for local people”

Policy responses to the problems facing rural areas across Europe have involved the replacement of “productivist” measures that subsidise agriculture to strategies promoting “integrated rural development”, emphasising the interconnections between various facets of the rural economy. Thus farm modernisation and product processing and marketing are linked with the promotion of a more diversified economic base centred on tourism and recreation and the maintenance of services for local residents. An essential element of this model is its reliance on collaborative actions involving a range of community or civil society actors. This paper examines the extent to which the operation of community-owned businesses in rural parts of the Yorkshire and Humber region in the UK corresponds to these ideals of integrated rural development. Evidence is presented on their geographical footprint with respect to both direct economic impacts and linkages with social and institutional networks. This allows an assessment to be made of the contribution that such enterprises make to rural economic development as a whole. The conclusion is that they do have the potential to assist integrated rural development, but only as a small part of a much wider series of economic, social and environmental actions.integrated rural development, rural community businesses, economic impacts, geographical footprint, volunteering

Appraising the Appraisers : Evaluating Modes of Teacher Appraisal

Universities and schools use various methods of teacher appraisal, including inspection by external agencies or managers, peer observation, and student evaluation, in order to improve the performance of their faculty. In this article it is suggested that self appraisal is more effective than any other method of appraising teachers, and thus improving their performance. The article draws on the writer\u27s experience as a teacher trainer and school inspector in the UK and other countries, and on his recent experience as an Assistant Professor at Kansai Gaidai University. Data from two recent initiatives in teacher appraisal at that university are also studied. The writer concludes by proposing that self appraisal should be the core element of teacher development, supplemented by the judicious use of peer observation and student evaluation

The New European Automotive Industry

Am 17. und 18. März 2005 findet in der britischen Botschaft in Berlin die diesjährige "CESifo International Spring Conference" statt. Am ersten Tag werden die wirtschaftlichen Perspektiven wichtiger Weltregionen behandelt. Im Mittelpunkt des zweiten Tages steht die konjunkturelle Entwicklung in bedeutenden Branchen der europäischen Industrie. Peter Wells vom Center for Automotive Industry Research, Cardiff, wird einer der Referenten sein. Hier gibt er eine kurze Einschätzung der Entwicklung der Automobilbranche in Europa

Evidence based policy making in an age of austerity

This paper reflects on the course of evidence based policy making (EBPM) in the United Kingdom over the last ten years: from the New Labour Government through the Coalition Government to the post 2015 Conservative Governments. A central focus is how the politics of austerity have shaped EBPM. Hayek’s theory of spontaneous ordering is introduced to examine whether EBPM since 2010 has taken a distinct course linked to the wider statecraft of austerity politics, the reduction in the role of the state and the preferencing of market based solutions. The paper finds the state or a ‘made order’ of EBPM to be resilient but under threat not just from austerity but also the rise of post-truth politics

Degrowth and techno-business model innovation: The case of Riversimple

There is an emergent understanding that humanity has precipitated an ‘Anthropocene’ such that we are now operating in a reduced space for humanity in which urgent action is required. This case study paper links degrowth, technological innovation, business model innovation and corporate governance. The arguments are illustrated with the case of an embryonic vehicle and mobility business called Riversimple. The paper shows that radical technology innovations in the vehicle itself are achieved by underlying principles that focus on mass decompounding, powertrain de-coupling, whole system design, and low-volume production systems. The characteristics of the technologies are fundamental to, and in part derive from, the business model adopted by the case, and the governance structures designed to avoid the primacy usually afforded to returns to financial shareholders. While the case is embryonic, the paper argues that an important possible contribution is the ability to commence a disruptive transition to a degrowth future from within existing legal frameworks, social practices, cultural expectations and physical infrastructures